Expressionless Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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expressionless

[ɪkˈsprɛʃənləs ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

showing no emotion

Expressionless means showing no emotion or feeling, often with a blank or neutral facial expression. It is the state of not displaying any outward signs of emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger, or surprise.

Synonyms

blank, deadpan, stoic.

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Word Description / Examples
expressionless

When someone shows no emotion at all on their face, typically in a neutral or serious situation.

  • She listened to the news with an expressionless face.
  • Despite the surprise announcement, he remained expressionless.
blank

Used when the face shows no reaction, often due to confusion or lack of understanding.

  • His face was blank when she asked the complex question.
  • She stared at the exam paper with a blank look.
stoic

Describes someone who shows calm and endurance, hiding their emotions, particularly in stressful or painful situations.

  • Despite the chaos around him, he remained stoic.
  • She was stoic during the entire surgery.
deadpan

Often associated with humor or sarcasm, this describes someone who delivers a joke or statement in a serious, emotionless manner.

  • He told the joke with a completely deadpan expression.
  • Her deadpan humor often caught people off guard.

Examples of usage

  • She stared at him expressionlessly, giving away nothing.
  • His expressionless face made it hard to read his true emotions.
  • The actress's expressionless performance left the audience puzzled.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • People often display less expression when they're feeling sad or anxious, making it harder to read their feelings.
  • Certain conditions, like depression or social anxiety, can lead to a person appearing expressionless.
  • Facial expressions play a critical role in human communication, with a lack of expressions sometimes influencing social interactions negatively.

Art

  • Expressionless faces are sometimes used in art to provoke thought and highlight internal struggles.
  • In modern art, artists often depict expressionless characters to explore themes of alienation and disconnection.
  • Silent films relied heavily on expressionless faces, conveying emotions solely through visual storytelling.

Literature

  • Many authors use characters with expressionless features to create tension, as they can be more mysterious and unpredictable.
  • In literature, an expressionless demeanor can depict a character's inner turmoil despite calmness on the outside.
  • Famous novels often portray protagonists who remain expressionless in the face of conflict, emphasizing their emotional restraint.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In some cultures, being expressionless is viewed as a sign of dignity or respect, especially in formal settings.
  • Different cultures have various norms regarding showing emotions. In some places, being overly expressive can be considered rude.
  • In contrast, other cultures encourage emotional expression, viewing an expressionless face as cold or unfriendly.

Social Media

  • In the era of social media, people often present a 'perfect' life, resulting in many appearing expressionless in candid moments captured online.
  • Emojis and GIFs are often used on platforms to convey emotions that may otherwise be expressionless in text form.
  • Trends in meme culture sometimes play on the concept of being expressionless to highlight humor in awkward situations.

Origin of 'expressionless'

The word 'expressionless' originated from the combination of 'expression' and the suffix '-less', which means 'without'. It first appeared in the early 19th century, derived from the concept of lacking expression or emotion in one's demeanor or appearance. Over time, 'expressionless' has become a commonly used term to describe someone who shows no emotion or feeling.


Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,639, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.